Improvement in shoe-fastenings



CLA. ROLFE.

Improvement inShoe-Fastenings.

r N0.129,496. PatentedJuly16,1872.

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UNITED STATES PATENT QFFIGE.

CHARLES A. ROLFE, OF UTICA, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN SHOE-FASTENINGS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 129,496, dated July 16, 1872.

Specification describing a new and useful Improvement in Button-Fastening for Ladies Boots, invented by CHARLES A. ROLFE, of Utica, in the county of Oneida and State of New York.

This invention relates to a new and useful improvement in mode of securing the buttons to ladies, misses, and childrens boots or gaiters; and it consists in a strap and a series of clasps and wires, arranged as hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of the fastening, showing the parts of which it is composed. Fig. 2 is a View of one of the clasps detached. Fig. 3 is a detail, showing the clasp attached to the fastening-strap. Fig. 4 is a view of the clasp which fastens the end of the strap. Fig. 5 is a view of the pliers by which the clasps are secured to the strap.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

A represents the buttons; B, the boots. C is the strap which runs the entire length of the fastening on the inside of the boot. D represents a clasp for each button, secured to the strap by means of the. projecting lugs orfinger E, (one on each side,) which are bent over and clasped onto the strap, as seen in Fig. 3. At the end of the strap a clasp may be used of alarger size and with two other fingers, F F, for securing the end of the strap, as seen 'in Fig. 4. G represents a wire for each button, which passes through the holes h h of the clasp passed through the boot, with the button attached thereto, as seen in Fig. 1. The wire Gris first bent inthe form of a staple and inserted from the outside, and passes through the holes h h of the clasps. The ends of the wire are then bent down into the clasp, as represented. This of itself forms a substantial fastening, but it is necessary for the protection of the ankle that the clasps and wires should be covered, and for this purpose mainly 1 apply the fastening-strap (3, although the strap connects the clasps together and renders the fastening stronger and more durable. other suitable material, and of a width which allows the fimgers E E to clasp it between them, as represented in the drawing. To clasp down these fingers E E onto the strap in a proper manner, a pliers, 1, with a slotted jaw,J, is used, which slotted jaw receives the eye of the button while the other jaw bears upon the fingers inside the boot and presses them smoothly down onto the strap, as represented in the drawing.

This mode of fastening allows the button a great deal of play so that the boot will adjust itself to the foot and ankle without undue pressure at any one point; and although the buttons are loose and pliable as those on an old boot, they cannot get off.

I do not confine myself to the precise form or arrangement of the parts described, as variations may be made without departing from my invention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. The clasp D, having fingers E E and holes h h, combined with wire G and strap 0, as and for the purpose described.

2. The pliers with elongated slot in under jaw, as described and shown in Fig. 5 of.

drawing, as and for the purpose set forth.

CHARLES A. ROLFE.

Witnesses:

ALEX. SEWARD, J. B. CUSHMAN.

This strap is made of leather or any 

